Key case



April 1, 1930. c. LORBER KEY CASE Filed Sept. 7, 1928 VIII ZLZVENTOR. Caies .L 07567;

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 1,1930

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFrcs KEY CASE Application filed September 7, 1328.

This invention relates to key cases and has special reference to a key plate for such cases.

More particularly the invention relates to improvements on the devices illustrated and described in my copending application for patent filed October 13, 1927, Serial Number 225,867.

One important object of this invention is to provide a key plate for key cases carrying a number of key hooks which are slidably and swivelly connected to the plate.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of key plate having a transverse slot therein which provides means whereby swivel rings may be slidably connected to the plate, the rings be ing either mounted on the bar provided by the formation of the slot or having their stem portions passing through the slot and headed to prevent withdrawal but free to slide and rotate.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like charactors of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a front view of a key case open to disclose one form of the improved key plate and attached parts.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2'2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view showing a modified form of plate and swivel ring arrangement.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line 44 thereof.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 1 but showing a modification of the swivel ring shown in that figure.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a similar section to Figure 2 but showing a further modification of the plate.

Serial No. 304,555.

In each form here shown the invention con sists of a key plate having a body 10 which is secured to the case 11 by any suitable means such as the tubular rivets 12 passing through the holes 13; provided with any preferred type of key hook 145 having an eye715.

' The plate, in' the form shown in Figure 1 consists of a sheet of metal which is provided at its upper part with a transverse slot 16, the slotted upper portion being bent forwardly and downwardly so that a transverse bar 17 in forwardly spaced relation to the body 10 is provided. On this bar are slidably engaged the ring portions 18 of swivel rings each having a stem 19 which projects into the eye 15 of a respective hook through a suitable opening in the top of said eye, the end of the stem being headed to prevent withdrawal. i

In the form of plate shown in the modifications the upper part of the plate is first bent forwardly as at 20 in angular relation to the body 10 and then rearwardly as at 21.

These portions are thus offset from the body i and in' the portion 21 there is provided a transverse slot 22. i

In the modification of Figures 3to 5 each swivel ring 23 is provided with a tubular shank 24L which is provided with a head 25 at the rear of the plate, care being taken that the parts are loose enough to permit free turning and sliding of the ring. In the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 the swivel ring is formed of a single length of wire, preferably flat or half round, which is bent to provide a ring 26 and stem portions 27 which pass through the slot 22. The ends of these stem portions are spread apart and flattened so that head portions 28 are formed of such size as to prevent detachment of the ring from the plate.

In the modification shown in Figure 8 it will be observed that the upper part of the plate including the bar 17 is only bent forward so that the bar lies just sufficiently far in front of the body of the plate to permit the hooks and keys to hang fiat. It may be noted that in assembling this type of the invention the rings of the swivels are left slightly open Also each form is until they are slipped on the bar after which they are closed to reventaccidental removal.

There has thus l ieen provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the in vention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In combination, a key plate having a transverse slot therein. swivel rings each having a portion passing through the slot to secure the ring to the plate and being slidable along said slot, and key hooks each carried by a respective ring.

2. In combination, a key plate having a transverse slot therein adjacent one transverse edge whereby a bar is formed trans- 3 vcrsely of the plate between the slot and edge,

swivel rings slidably mounted on said bar and each having a stem, and key hooks each having an eye into which a respective stem passes, the stem being headed within the eye.

3. In combination, a key plate having a transverse slot therein adjacent one transverse edge whereby a bar is formed transversely of the plate between the slot and edge, the slot provided portion being bent forwardly and downwardly to position the bar in spaced relation to and in front of the body of the plate, swivel rings slidably mounted on said bar and each having a stem, and key hooks each having an eye into which a respective stem passes, the stem being headed within the eye.

4. In combination, a key plate having a forwardly offset portion provided with a transverse slot, swivel rings engaged slidably to the plate through the slot, and key hooks carried by said rings.

5. In combination, a key plate having a transverse slot therein adjacent one transverse edge. whereby a bar is formed transversely of the plate between the slot and edge, the slot provided portion being bent forwardly to position the bar in spaced relation to and in front of the body of the plate, swivel rings slidably mounted on said bar and each having a stem, and key hooks each having an eye into which a respective stem passes, the stem being headed within the eye.

6. In a key case, a key plate formed from a single piece of sheet metal and having a slot extending transversely of the plate adjacent one transverse edge.

7. In a key case, a key plate formed from a single piece of sheet metal and having a slot extending transversely of the plate adjacent one transverse edge, the slotted portion of the key plate being bent to lie forwardly of the remainder of said plate.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES LORBER.

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